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Are Motorcyclists at a Legal Disadvantage After a Collision With a Car?

By
SM
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Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash

Motorcyclists are often seen as reckless drivers who are more likely to cause accidents. This reputation is unfair and untrue. In reality, most motorcycle riders are very careful and cautious drivers, especially since they understand how vulnerable they are if they become involved in an accident. However, because of this faulty reputation, motorcyclists are often blamed for accidents, even when they are not at fault.

These false impressions make it very difficult for motorcyclists to receive fair compensation after an accident. Insurance companies may try to lowball motorcycle riders or deny their claims altogether. Therefore it is essential for motorcycle riders to seek experienced legal help after an accident. 

Are Motorcycle Collisions in NYC Common?

Preliminary data in New York by the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research showed that motorcycle crashes involving injuries and fatalities skyrocketed from 2019 to 2020, including a 5.46 percent increase in NYC. The number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities is also significantly overrepresented yearly compared to other vehicles. As a result, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die and four times more apt to be injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2020 than those in passenger vehicles. 

Their Unfavorable Media Portrayal Led to a Negative View of Motorcyclists

Movies and television shows often portray motorcycle riders as reckless, law-breaking rebels. Early movies such as The Wild One and Easy Rider set the trend, and it wasn’t helped by news about violent motorcycle gangs such as the Hells Angels. While some motorcycle riders do fit this description, the vast majority of motorcyclists are upstanding citizens. They not only ride their motorcycles for enjoyment but because these bikes are more economical and convenient. Unfortunately, the portrayal of motorcycle riders in the media has led to a negative view of motorcycle riders by some members of the public.

Why Is It Important to Hire an Injury Lawyer Who Can Combat Negative Views of Motorcyclists? 

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is crucial to hire an experienced injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. A lawyer will be able to investigate your crash and gather evidence to prove that you were not at fault. He or she will also be able to combat any negative views of motorcycle riders by insurance companies and juries. 

Insurance Company Bias Against Motorcyclists

Motorcycle riders are predisposed to prejudice by the public, a tactic used by defense lawyers for insurance companies. As a way of muddying the waters, the defense will try to show that the rider was to blame for their own injuries in court.  They’ll say the rider did not avoid an accident by taking evasive action. A motorcyclist will be accused of not responding immediately to an unlawful left turn or not yielding to the unmindful driver of a motor vehicle in an attempt to persuade the judge and jury that they are at fault for not responding at once.

There are a myriad of ways in which the motorcycle driver can be blamed for the accident, including:

  • Taking too long to slow down to avoid an accident
  • Not being in the correct part of the traffic lane
  • Not wearing sufficient protective gear
  • Lack of driving experience or safety training
  • Not being conspicuous enough to avoid the collision
  • Suffering a medical or mental condition that led to the accident
  • Not getting out of the way when an accident was about to occur

Placing Fault on the Motorcycle Itself

The motorcycle is another potential attack target by the insurance company and their lawyers. It is common for insurance companies to have the motorcycle’s entire frame inspected for aftermarket modifications or additional parts that may have contributed to its handling issues.

A motorcycle’s performance is also considered. Motorcycle muffler pipes can be loud, so defense lawyers may argue that the motorcyclist couldn’t hear or react to the oncoming vehicle in time to avoid a collision because of the noise.

As part of their investigation, insurance investigators may also check the tire pressure on the damaged motorcycle and the torque on its rotating components to try and blame the motorcyclist. The investigators’ crash assessment in a motorcycle accident is extensive, so any lawyer must be prepared to defend their client against unbiased verbal accusations. For example, if the damage to a motorcycle is in an upper section, the lawyer for the insurance company or at-fault driver may say there were control issues that led to the collision. On the other hand, if the lower part of the motorcycle sustained damage, lack of appropriate traction may be suggested as a cause.

A motorcycle accident lawyer can refute these claims by having engineers examine the motorcycle immediately. These expert witnesses can be used to uncover any false allegations made by the defense or at-fault party’s insurance company. 

Juries Are Often Biased Against Motorcycle Riders

A bias against riders can sometimes be evident in motorcycle cases. Whether true or not, motorcycle riders, especially those riding cruisers or sports bikes, are viewed as being reckless and driving too fast by many in the general public. For motorcycle personal injury lawyers, this is concerning when preparing for a trial, especially when selecting a jury. Press and cinema depictions of motorcyclists are likely to have influenced some potential jurors.

The biker’s lawyer, whether that be this Chionuma Motorcycle Accident lawyer kansas city mo or a similar attorney working in the biker’s local area, must be prepared to counter both covert and overt implications of bias against motorcycles as a whole. It has been explicitly ruled by courts that a jury cannot be instructed that negligence can be assumed from merely using a motorcycle for transportation.

Educating Jurors in Motorcycle Accident Cases

Prejudiced jurors with less adventurous opinions may believe that motorcycle riding is inherently dangerous. Only a small percentage of potential jurors are likely to have experience handling motorcycles, which means their views must be changed to help the client get fair compensation for their injuries.

Potential jurors may come to the table with incomplete, inaccurate, and even biased ideas about what they should know in order to decide factual questions about motorcycle riding. Therefore, evidence may be used early in the trial to show jurors how the rider controls the motorcycle, and what a rider is capable of doing in a safe and reasonable manner, and most importantly, the reasons why they would.

In motorcycling, qualified instructors and experienced riders are experts who can provide credible understanding. They can explain how speed, velocity, centrifugal forces, weight, gravity, and momentum interact, as well as how human reaction times affect equipment performance.

The Ultimate Guide For Preparing Your Car For A Show

By
SM
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Whether you’ve got a custom-made vehicle or a classic, antique car that you’ve added to your collection, you’ll likely have considered displaying it at a car show. Most car shows will have an easy way to sign up for a place to show your car, but getting your car ready for the show could be a somewhat more complex matter, depending on what state your vehicle is in. Due to all the things you’ll need to think about when preparing your car for a show, we’ve put together a list of useful tips to help you get your car ready for viewing.

Make Sure It’s In Working Order

Your first step, which you should be taken well in advance of the show, is to make sure your car works. Getting your vehicle to the show when it currently doesn’t run is possible, of course, with the help of a larger car loader, but this is going to make the process somewhat more complicated. It’s also going to significantly diminish the appeal of your car if it simply doesn’t start. Many guests are going to want to hear the purr of a well-maintained engine to see the rest of the vehicle in its feature-complete splendour. Here are things that will drain your car battery are some maintenance steps to consider.

  • Check The Engine

One of the key things to check before displaying your vehicle is that your engine is in good working order. It may be worth getting it checked over by an experienced mechanic if you’re only a layman when it comes to car maintenance. You’ll want to check the car’s fluids, including the oil and coolant. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any leaks. The best way to do this is to leave your vehicle parked on clean and brightly-coloured slabs overnight and see if anything has accumulated below the car in the morning.

  • Ensure Tires Are Filled

If you’re going to be driving your car to the show, you’ll also want to make sure that the tire pressure is correct and that the tires are safe to drive on. The last thing you want is a tire to burst or get damaged somehow. It’s also worthwhile bringing spare tires and the means to lift the car to replace the tire. Even if you’re not driving the vehicle to the show itself, flat tires can be quite obvious and can make your car look underwhelming, so make sure you keep them filled.

  • Bring Spare Batteries

Showing your car will likely take somewhat of a toll on the vehicle, even for the day. There’s a chance you’ll be turning the ignition regularly (only if you’re showing outside), as well as turning the headlights on, playing the radio, and generally showcasing everything your car has to offer. These are things that will drain your car battery, so it’s important to remember to bring some spares, as well as things like jumper cables. Although, at a car show like this, you’ll not be far away from someone that may be able to help. But remember, many classic cars may need a much more specific battery than the ones you can easily find today, so bring some spares that will work for yours.

Help Your Car To Stand Out
There are understandably going to be some stunning cars alongside yours at a car show, and you’ll likely want to spend some time roaming around to see what everyone else has brought to the table. But you’ll also want to make sure that your car stands out as much as possible so that all of the hard work and love you’ve poured into your car doesn’t go unnoticed. There are a number of ways in which you can help your car stand out from others, depending on the vehicle and where you’re situated at the show. Consider the following ideas to help you with this.

  • Unique Design

Unless you’re looking to stay true to the original design of your classic car, it may be worthwhile creating your own custom design for your car. A great new paint job or modernization of an older vehicle can really draw the crowds, but it also might annoy some of the traditionalists. Consider adding your own touches to your car to really make it unique if this is something you’d be happy to do. Unless your car is a very rare, vintage model that most people won’t have seen, you’ll need some other way to draw in the crowds with a daring new look.

  • Custom Number Plate

A simpler way of adding a unique element to your car is to add a custom and legal number plate to it. You can buy and sell DVLA number plates via companies like Regtransfers, a private number plate specialist. Of course, it’s important to remember that you can’t display a number plate on your vehicle that makes it look younger than it is, which can add some limitations to which plate you choose for your classic model. However, as long as you follow the DVLA’s rules on this, you can get a custom plate for your vehicle, which can serve as the perfect finish to an already fantastic car.

  • Get Creative

When displaying your vehicle, you’ll want to find some great ways in which you can show it off. Sometimes, a pristine vehicle in fantastic condition just sitting on its own isn’t always the best way to attract a crowd, especially when there are going to be many other amazing cars there. This is why you’ll want to get creative when showing your vehicle. Consider things like an information board, including images of any restoration work you’ve done—everyone loves a before and after view. Don’t forget to do things such as opening the trunk, doors, and hood, giving passers-by a better view of the interior parts of the car, too.

Cleaning Your Car

The last thing anyone wants to see is a great car ruined by dirt and grime. This understandably looks like the owner doesn’t care about the vehicle and doesn’t have the time and patience to ensure that it is kept in great condition. Ultimately, it would be a surprise to see a dirty car at a car show, too, as the whole point is to showcase how great your car looks. This is why it’s incredibly important to spend time cleaning every inch of your car to ensure it looks as great as possible on the day.

Start With The Engine And Undercarriage

You should start with cleaning your car’s engine and undercarriage because they are often forgotten about when people clean their cars. Once you’ve got the hood open or someone wants to take a look inside, the grime and grease inside will be in stark contrast to the shiny exterior of the vehicle. It’s also important to do this first, as the grease will often get all the rest of your car, and if you’ve already cleaned it, you’ll need to go over it all again. After you’ve cleaned that, don’t forget to get the car’s interior cleaned out too. Remove all debris down to the last crumb, and don’t forget to clean the boot. Once you’ve done all of this, you’re free to wash and wax the exterior, which is arguably the most enjoyable part.

Byron leapfrogs Playoff cutline, points rescinded following Texas incident

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Chad Wells for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel amended the points penalty issued to Playoff contender William Byron and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team following his on-track incident with Playoff rival Denny Hamlin at Texas Motor Speedway this past September.

The incident at Texas occurred with 66 laps remaining when Martin Truex Jr., Hamlin’s teammate, drew a caution after wrecking while leading the event. During the caution period, Byron, who was irritated from being bumped by Hamlin and making contact with the backstretch wall while competing for a top-five spot earlier, bumped and sent Hamlin spinning sideways across the frontstretch. Following the spin, Hamlin pulled his car alongside Byron’s to express his displeasure but was not permitted to retain his spot towards the front prior to the spin. Byron, who characterized the incident as intentional without the intent of spinning Hamlin, went on to finish seventh while Hamlin fell back to 10th.

Prior to the amendment, Byron was fined $50,000 and docked 25 driver/owner points for violating sections pertaining to NASCAR’s Member Code of Conduct from the NASCAR Rulebook. With the amendment from the appeals panel that included Hunter Nickell, Dale Pinilis and Kevin Whitaker, the 24-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, was re-awarded his 25 docked points despite his fine being increased to $100,000.

With his points rescinded, Byron, who initially left this past weekend’s event at Talladega Superspeedway in 10th place in the Playoff standings and 11 points below the top-eight cutline to transfer into the Round of 8, has leaped to seventh place in the standings and is 14 points above the cutline. He now looks to secure a spot in the Round of 8 by competing in this weekend’s Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, which will mark the conclusion of the Round of 12 and eliminate the bottom four competitors in the standings from Playoff contention.

Byron’s points being rescinded means that Daniel Suarez holds the eighth and final transfer spot to the Round of 8 entering this weekend’s event at Charlotte. He has a 12-point advantage over both Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe while Christopher Bell trails by 45 points. Alex Bowman, Byron’s teammate, trails the cutline by 66 points, but has been ruled out of the event and faces elimination from the Playoffs while recovering from concussion-like symptoms stemming from his wreck at Texas in September. Noah Gragson is set to pilot Bowman’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for a second consecutive weekend.

The Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course is set to occur on Sunday, October 9, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.

Monster Energy Racing: Riley Herbst Charlotte Roval NXS Advance

By
Official Release
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RILEY HERBST
Charlotte Roval NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

• Event: Drive for the Cure 250 (Round 29 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, Oct. 8
• Location: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval
• Layout: 2.28-mile, 17-turn road course
• Time/TV/Radio: 3 p.m. EDT on NBC/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Riley Herbst rolls into Saturday’s Drive for the Cure 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval on a mission to advance in the playoffs. It’s the final race in the Round of 12, where only the top-eight drivers in points after the Roval move on to the Round of 8. Entering this cutoff race, Herbst is 11th in the standings, 10 points outside of the top-eight. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang knows a strong finish is needed to keep his championship drive alive. While a victory will secure his spot in the Round of 8, Herbst can point his way into the next round with smart and savvy driving throughout the 67-lap race around the 2.28-mile, 17-turn road course. It’s what Herbst has done so far in the playoffs, with a strong fifth-place finish Sept. 24 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth and a respectable 11th-place run last Saturday at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Adding extra incentive to Herbst is that the Round of 8 begins next Saturday at his home track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

• With five races still remaining this season, Herbst can already call 2022 a career year. His seven top-fives eclipsed his previous season-best tally of five top-fives earned last year, and his 17 top-10s have already equaled his season high, first earned during his rookie year in 2020. Herbst is likely to add to those stats this Saturday at the Roval. In his last three road-course races, the 23-year-old has brought home a top-10 result each time. He finished seventh July 2 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, sixth July 30 on the infield circuit at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and seventh Aug. 20 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. All of these finishes equaled or bettered his previous best effort on each track.

• The Drive for the Cure 250 will be Herbst’s third career Xfinity Series start on the Roval. Herbst had a strong outing in his first start there in 2020 despite a torrential downpour. He ran up front and led seven laps en route to a 12th-place finish, best among the rookie class. Last October, Herbst started ninth and was holding his position in the top-10 during the final stage before a suspension issue ended his race seven laps from the finish.

• Herbst is driving for the team that knows how to win on the Roval. The No. 98 team of Stewart-Haas Racing won the inaugural Xfinity Series race at the Roval on Sept. 29, 2018 via Chase Briscoe. It was Briscoe’s first career Xfinity Series victory. He led twice for 33 laps to beat Justin Marks by 1.478 seconds.

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

Despite two strong runs at Texas and Talladega to open the Round of 12, you still find yourself 10 points below the cutline. What’s your strategy to secure a spot in the Round of 8?

“We have to race for points and then a win. I think we’ve seen improvement with our road-course program this year, so I’m hoping that helps us out. But honestly, the Roval is a beast of its own. I think it’s a wild card in its own way – just like Talladega. We know what we have to do heading into this weekend, and that’s to get points. A win would erase all of our worries, but we have to make it to the end to have a shot. We’re in a much better position coming into Charlotte than we were last year, so let’s make the most of it.”

You have two previous starts on the Roval. What are your thoughts on the configuration of the track, and how do you prepare for this race with so much on the line?

“To be honest, this is one track that I haven’t been able to wrap my head around. It’s not that we haven’t run decent there in the past, but I think I was just at a disadvantage because I never had practice on this track and I was never able to lay down laps outside of the simulator until it was race time. This is only my third race there, but I’m hoping we can show improvement like we have at all the other road courses this year.”

There has been significant growth not only by the team, but by you as a driver this season. Who do you go to for advice within the organization and the garage?

“I’ve talked to Chase Briscoe a little since he’s been good on road courses in his career and Kevin Harvick, who has been helping me out this year. More than anything, it’s just been getting the experience through practice and qualifying this season. We’re going to racetracks where we’ve been before and now we have the notes to help. The simulator is great, but nothing beats getting behind the wheel of our Monster Energy Ford Mustang and actually making laps on a road course. This is really the first fulltime season in my career where we’ve had practice and qualifying at every race, even if it’s shortened. So I think that’s helping a lot with our improvement, as well.”

No. 98 Monster Energy Team Roster

Primary Team Members:

Driver: Riley Herbst
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell
Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: Matt Noyce
Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin

Engineer: DJ VanderLey
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Engineer: Justin Bolton
Hometown: Latrobe, Pensylvania

Spotter: Tim Fedewa
Hometown: Holt, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Crew:

Front Tire Changer: Josh Leslie
Hometown: Mount Clemens, Michigan

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White
Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons
Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Fueler: Corey Coppola
Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Jackman: Stan Doolittle
Hometown: Ninety Six, South Carolina

Road Crew Members:

Truck Driver: Steve Wood
Hometown: Eatontown, New Jersey

Engine Tuner: Willie Pelotte
Hometown: Oakland, Maine

Tire Specialist: Austin Quick
Hometown: Flagstaff, Arizona

Cadillac Racing completes successful three-day test

By
Official Release
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Cadillac V-LMDh surpasses 11,000 kilometers in on-track developmental phase

DETROIT (Oct. 6, 2022) — Cadillac Racing, its partners and teams met and surpassed objectives Oct. 3-5 during IMSA-sanctioned on-track testing and development of the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

Accumulating data, driver feedback and testing component reliability on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn road course were priorities as all parties prepare for the quickly approaching 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship seasons.

Two Cadillac V-LMDh race cars will contest the nine races of the IMSA season in the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class, while one Cadillac V-LMDh will compete in all seven rounds of the WEC schedule in the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class.

Testing on the same racetrack under similar ambient and track temperatures within 36 hours of the checkered flag on the 2022 IMSA season was exceptionally beneficial, according to Cadillac Racing assistant program manager Kalvin Parker.

Cadillac surpassed a development milestone with 11,000 total on-track kilometers since the shakedown of the Cadillac V-LMDh in July. The test schedule is full leading into the Jan. 20-22 Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway, followed by the competition debut of the Cadillac V-LMDh on Jan. 28-29 at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 17 opens the WEC season.

“Getting comfortable with the further development we’ve had in the systems, accumulating data, getting acclimated to the tires and just durability is important,” Parker said. “We’ve been developing and adding new components as we move toward homologation, and it’s how robust are they.

“For the drivers, to go directly from the DPi into the V-LMDh on the same track has been really helpful to get an understanding of where the limits are going to be. They’ve been at a few tracks now where they can compare the differences in weight, differences in power. It’s noticeable the growth the teams have made from those first couple of tests to now in terms of comfort level with the cars, feeling they can push the systems and their understanding of the car.”

Veteran sports car racer Richard Westbrook, who this week was confirmed to co-drive the Cadillac V-LMDh with Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn in the seven WEC races in 2023, got behind the wheel of the all-new race car for the first time.

“It’s nice having a comparison while the DPi is still fresh in your mind, because it was a very well-sorted car by the end of the development,” Westbrook said of the Cadillac DPi-V.R that collected 27 victories and 82 podium finishes in 59 races covering six seasons. “Right now, we’re just making the car run, putting miles on it and that’s where the focus is. Stage two of the learning process would be unlocking some performance.”

Codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis manufacturer Dallara, the Cadillac V-LMDh features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, that will generate more than 670 horsepower from the combined output of its engine and hybrid powertrain.

The spec energy recovery system will serve as Cadillac’s first hybrid prototype race car.

Regulations were created jointly by IMSA, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to allow LMDh and Le Mans Hypercar cars to compete in the same classes in both the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.

What they’re saying

Pipo Derani, IMSA GTP driver for Action Express-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh: “It’s a strong base, as you would expect from Cadillac and so many great minds behind the project. When you start with a new car, you never know until you’re actually competing against everyone else, but the feeling of it is actually a good feeling – one that we can start working on and developing. So far everything has been very positive.”

Alexander Sims, IMSA GTP driver for Action Express Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh: “It was really, really nice to get a solid haul of laps. Good times, did some fast laps as well, which was nice. Some long runs, got a good understanding of the car through a full stint and then did a few bits of slightly more performance testing towards the end of the day. Nice to feel a bit more comfortable with the speed of the car. Obviously still work to do, but it’s been a solid test day.”

Sebastien Bourdais, IMSA GTP driver for Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh: “The car is powerful. It’s making close to 700 horsepower, obviously, but when you couple that with quite a bit less downforce – like significantly less downforce – it’s definitely a car that gives you a run for your money. You have to work at it. You’ve got some good mechanical grip, but then the weight negates that some. Aero-wise, you get there pretty quick but then you can’t lean on the aero quite as much. You get there fast, but it’s a bit harder to stop. When you get to the corner, you’ve got to stop it more. It’s definitely a car that keeps you awake.”

Renger van der Zande, IMSA GTP driver for Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh: “As a driver you can give your feedback to the great engineers that we have and they start working on the comments you give what you need to win races in the future, so it’s a very interesting period. The sound of the engine is so raw and so Cadillac as well. I’ve been impressed on the sound and to drive away on the electric side of it is impressive. It’s way more powerful and it puts a big smile on my face. One of the development points you can use out of the DPi era is you go to a track like this where you can have those back-to-back feelings and give your feedback. It’s going from big tuning to fine tuning. You don’t get those opportunities often.”

Richard Westbrook, WEC driver for Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh: “Some things are better, some things need improving on of course. It’s a brand new car, but a really good first impression. I’m really happy to get my first run out of the way. It was really enjoyable. It’s nice having a comparison while the DPi is still fresh in your mind because it was a very well-sorted car by the end of the development. Right now, we’re just making the car run, putting miles on it and that’s where the focus is. Stage two of the learning process would be unlocking some performance. That’s the bit I’m looking forward to.”

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac’s media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.

Sheehan Looks for Strong Autumn Finish at VIR

By
Official Release
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Bow, NEW HAMPSHIRE – October 6, 2022 – Having finished in P8 at the popular venue in 2019 and notched his 100th start in Trans Am in 2020 when he finished in P7 in the Heacock Gold Cup, New Hampshire’s Tom Sheehan has good memories of Virginia International Raceway. 2022 has so far been less kind to the evergreen “Ironman” of muscle car racing and a mechanical issue late in the race at Watkins Glen cost him several places and typified Tom’s luck this season. Nevertheless, Tom remains in upbeat mood, with the canary yellow No. 97 LTK Insulation Technologies Damon Racing Ford Mustang heading to Virginia.

VIR is a hugely popular track and originally opened in 1957 as one of the country’s first permanent road racing circuits. The 3.27-mile track has unusually remained exactly the same ever since. While the track is unchanged, the grounds at VIR have gone through quite a transformation since their humble beginnings. The VIR we know today began to take shape when new owners had a vision of something altogether more grand. After several fallow years, they reopened VIRginia International Raceway in 2000 with world-class facilities and resort amenities. Since then, VIR has received international acclaim and tremendous reviews as one of the most exciting road courses in all of North America and is usually a very popular resort.

Testing for the TA2 Racers begins at 5:00pm ET on Thursday, October 6 with practice at 1:00pm ET on Friday. Qualifying will be in two groups from 5:30pm ET the same day. The drop of the green flag for the race itself at 11:40 am ET on Saturday morning.

TV Broadcast:

TA2 – Oct 12, 7:00p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
TA2 (Encore Presentation) – Oct 13, 12:30 a.m. ET on CBS Sports Network

Keep up with Trans Am driver Tom Sheehan on social media – Facebook page is Damon Racing; Instagram is TomSheehanTA97 and Twitter follow @TomTA2_97.

For more information on LTK Insulation Technologies please visit the website online at https://ltkinsulationtechnologies.com/

About LTK Insulation Technologies:
Putting LTK insulation jackets & covers to work on your project saves your firm real money and time. The LTK Insulation products are so fast and easy. Installation is as fast as identification. Our carefully designed products line allows; fast, sure fit, 100% clean, no tool installation. Product designed for; balance valves, control valves, flex hoses, in line specialties, couplings, quick connects, unions, zone pumps. Your imagination is the only limit….GOLTK!

NCS AT CHARLOTTE ROVAL: Team Chevy Advance

By
Official Release
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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Bank of America ROVAL 400
Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course
Concord, North Carolina

October 9, 2022

PLAYOFFS ROUND OF 12 ELIMINATION: CHARLOTTE ROVAL

Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott became the first NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) playoff driver to win in the post-season thus far, giving the No. 9 Camaro ZL1 team an automatic berth into the Round of 8. As the only driver with a secured spot into the next round, the seven positions that remain up for grabs in the Round of 8 will be determined in Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. The 2.32-mile, 17-turn road course located within “America’s Home for Racing” of Charlotte Motor Speedway was first added to the NCS schedule in 2018; and since then, each of the circuit’s four races have held a spot in the post-season.

Chevrolet recorded its first win at the Charlotte ROVAL in 2019, with road course phenom Chase Elliott taking the checkered flag in the circuit’s second annual NCS race. Since then, it’s been a repeat visit to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course victory lane for the Bowtie brand. Elliott became a back-to-back winner at the circuit in 2020, with his Hendrick Motorsports’ teammate Kyle Larson becoming the ROVAL’s most recent NCS winner in 2021.

In similar fashion, the Bowtie brand will look to make it four in a row in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. The “King of the Road” AJ Allmendinger recorded his first NXS win at the ROVAL in 2019 and he’s taken each win since; recording the victory in 2020 and later going on to make it a three-peat in 2021. In five NXS road course races this season, Chevrolet has scored the victory in four of those events, three of which were won with Allmendinger behind the wheel of his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS.

NASCAR Cup Series – Defending Winner at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

October 10, 2021

NASCAR Xfinity Series – Defending Winner at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS

October 9, 2021

 
BOWTIE LOOKING FOR 12 IN A ROW ON ROAD COURSES

Since Chase Elliott delivered Chevrolet its milestone 800th all-time win in NASCAR’s premier series at Circuit of The Americas in May 2021, it’s been nothing but the Bowtie brand in victory lane on NCS road course circuits. The series’ most recent road course race at Watkins Glen (August 2022) saw Kyle Larson hoist the trophy once again, giving Chevrolet its 11th consecutive NCS road course victory. Within that time frame, a total of six drivers from four different Chevrolet teams added wins to that streak.

Four of Chevrolet’s six remaining playoff contenders have at least one NCS road course victory to their name. Joining Elliott and Larson on that list includes Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez, who both recorded their first career wins in NASCAR’s premier series on a road course circuit earlier this season.

While Elliott has already punched his ticket to the next round with his win at Talladega Superspeedway, a win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course would move the 26-year-old Georgia native up the ranks on the NCS all-time road course wins list. Currently leading all active NCS drivers in career road course wins with seven, a win in Sunday’s race would move Elliott to second on that elite list, tying NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart with eight. At the top of the NCS all-time road course wins list is Career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, who recorded nine career road course victories in NASCAR’s premier series.

A look at where the Team Chevy NCS playoff drivers stand heading into the Round of 12 elimination race, including season numbers and career stats at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 1st in Playoff Standings

2022 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion

Victories: 5 (series-leading)

Top-Fives: 12; Top-10s: 19; Laps Led: 773

Average Finish: 11.5; Stage Wins: 6

At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Wins: 2

Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 3

Average Finish: 5.000 (series-best)

Of Note:

  • The 2022 season marks Elliott’s seventh consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs.
  • Elliott has advanced to the Championship 4 the past two seasons, winning his first career NCS Driver Championship in 2020.
  • Six of his 17 career NCS wins have come in the playoffs.
  • Elliott has won at two of the three tracks in the Round of 12, including Talladega Superspeedway (2019); and a two-time winner at the Charlotte ROVAL (2019 and 2020).

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 3rd in Playoff Standings (28-points above cutline)

Victories: 2

Top-Fives: 11; Top-10s: 17; Laps Led: 621

Average Finish: 13.8; Stage Wins: 5

At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Top-25: 1; Average Finish: 23.000

Of Note:

  • The 2022 season marks Chastain’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs.
  • Chastain has one career NCS road course win to his name, taking the victory at Circuit of The Americas in March 2022.

Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 6th in Playoff Standings (18-points above cutline)

2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion

Victories: 2

Top-Fives: 11; Top-10s: 16; Laps Led: 368

Average Finish: 13.7; Stage Wins: 4

At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Victories: 1

Top-Fives: 1; Top-10s: 1;

Average Finish 13.000

Of Note:

  • The 2022 season marks Larson’s sixth appearance in the NCS playoffs, with 2021 bringing Larson his first trip to the Championship 4.
  • During the playoff era (2004-present); Larson leads the series in ‘multiple playoff race wins in a single season’ with five in 2021 (Bristol, Charlotte ROVAL, Texas, Kansas, Phoenix).
  • In 2021, Larson took the wins at two of the three tracks that are in the Round of 12, including the annual race at the Charlotte ROVAL.

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 – 7th in standings (12-points above cutline)

Victories: 1

Top-Fives: 6; Top-10s: 12; Laps Led: 249

Average Finish: 16.0; Stage Wins: 2

At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Top-15s: 1; Average Finish: 23.250

Of Note:

  • The 2022 season marks Suarez’s first career appearance in the NCS playoffs.
  • Suarez has three top-five finishes on road course circuits in 2022 including his first-career NCS win at Sonoma Raceway; and fifth-place finishes at Road America and Watkins Glen.

William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 10th in Playoff Standings (11-points below cutline)

Victories: 2

Top-Fives: 5; Top-10s: 9; Laps Led: 714

Average Finish: 16.3; Stage Wins: 4

At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Pole Wins: 1

Top-10s: 2; Average Finish: 14.250

Of Note:

  • The 2022 season marks Byron’s fourth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs.
  • Bryon’s career-best finish in the NCS playoffs came in 2021, finishing the season 10th in the final standings.

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 – 12th in Playoff Standings (54-points below cutline)

Victories: 1

Top-Fives: 4; Top-10s: 12; Laps Led: 136

Average Finish: 16.1; Stage Wins: 2

At Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

Top-Fives: 2; Top-10s: 4;

Average Finish: 6.00

Of Note:

  • The 2022 season marks Bowman’s fifth consecutive appearance in the NCS playoffs.
  • Bowman has raced his way into the Round of 12 in each of his NCS playoff appearances; making it to the Round of 8 in the 2020 season to score a career-best sixth in the final standings.

*Bowman will not be competing at the Charlotte ROVAL. Chevrolet driver Noah Gragson will return to fill the seat of the No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1.

 
PLAYOFF PICTURE UPDATE: CHEVROLET REMAINS ON TOP

The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course holds the position as the Round of 12 playoffs elimination race for both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, where each of the respective playoff fields will be reduced to just eight drivers remaining in the championship title hunt.

With Chase Elliott’s playoff victory at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend, seven spots are up for grabs in the NCS Round of 8. Entering the elimination race, four Chevrolet drivers makeup the top-eight in the playoff driver points standings, with Elliott leading Ross Chastain in third (+28-points), Kyle Larson in sixth (+18) and Daniel Suarez in seventh (+12). Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron continues to sit on the outside looking in, but just 11-points below the cutline. Alex Bowman, who rounds out the top-12 in the playoff driver points standings, will be sidelined once again this weekend with continued concussion symptoms, ultimately eliminating Bowman and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 team from the 2022 NCS playoffs.

Chevrolet continues to sit 1-2 in the NXS playoff driver points standings, with AJ Allmendinger (1st) and Noah Gragson (2nd) already sealing their fate into the next round with victories in the Round of 12. Chevrolet drivers currently occupy six of the top-eight in the playoff driver points standings. Joining Allmendinger and Gragson in the top-eight includes NXS rookie Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS, in fourth; with JR Motorsports’ teammates Josh Berry, Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer sitting in the fifth through seventh positions, respectively. 

CHEVROLET SWEEPS TALLADEGA TRIPLEHEADER

For the third time this season, Chevrolet took the wins across all three NASCAR national series during a tripleheader race weekend.

The weekend sweep started out with Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Silverado RST team’s win in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) Chevy Silverado 250. The victory was DiBenedetto’s first in the series; the fifth for the Silverado RST in 2022; and Chevrolet’s 262nd all-time in the NCWTS.

Later that afternoon, AJ Allmendinger edged out fellow Chevrolet driver Sam Mayer at the line by a mere .015-second to record his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series superspeedway victory. The triumph – Allmendinger’s fourth of the season – also gave the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS team a guaranteed spot in the series’ Round of 8. The 40-year-old California native is the second driver to secure his spot into the next round, joining Chevrolet driver Noah Gragson, who accomplished that feat with his win at Texas Motor Speedway. The victory was Chevrolet’s 21st NXS win of 2022, while also extending the manufacturer’s win streak to seven in a row in the series.

Capping off the weekend sweep was Chase Elliott’s victory in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500. The victory brought Elliott to a series-leading fifth win of 2022, putting him back at the top of the NCS driver points standings as the only playoff driver with a win in the post-season. The victory marked Chevrolet’s series-leading 18th NCS victory this season, with the manufacturer now just one win away from tying its win record from the 2021 NCS season.

 
CHEVROLET CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR “MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER” WITH PINK CAMARO SS 1LE PACE CAR

Chevrolet’s partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” initiative marks its 12th consecutive year in 2022. A specialty-themed pink Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE made its return to the track at Talladega Superspeedway as the official pace car. Proudly carrying the ACS logo, the pink Chevrolet Camaro pace car will do more than just lead NASCAR’s premier series under caution during the month of October. For every lap run under caution in three select races, Chevrolet will donate $350 to the American Cancer Society to honor “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.”

The first of three NASCAR Cup Series events that are part of the initiative took place at Talladega Superspeedway this past weekend. With the specialty-themed Pink Camaro pace car leading the NCS for 25 laps under caution during Sunday’s YellaWood 500, Chevrolet will contribute $8,750 towards the campaign.

The pink “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Camaro will return as the official pace car at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 23 and Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on October 30 as part of the contribution.

BOWTIE BULLETS

· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (2021)

   Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (2019, 2020)

· Chevrolet is heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course looking for four in a row in both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. Chase Elliott took back-to-back NCS wins at the circuit in 2019 and 2020, with his Hendrick Motorsports’ teammate Kyle Larson taking the win in 2021. Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger recorded wins in the past three NXS ROVAL events.

· Chevrolet has recorded wins in 15 of the last 16 NASCAR Cup Series road course races, including a streak of the past 11. In that timespan, six drivers from four different Chevrolet teams have contributed to those wins.

· Chase Elliott has recorded seven road course victories in his NASCAR Cup Series career; the most of all active NCS drivers. Elliott ranks third on the NCS all-time road course wins list behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (nine wins) and Tony Stewart (eight wins). Elliott’s victories have been recorded at five different road courses, a record in series’ history.

· Four of Chevrolet’s six NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers have at least one career road course win in NASCAR’s premier series:

   Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – 7 (series-leading)

   Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – 4

   Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet – 1

   Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet – 1

· Chase Elliott’s win at Talladega Superspeedway – his series-leading fifth of the 2022 season – delivered Chevrolet its manufacturer-leading 18th win in 31 NASCAR Cup Series points-paying races. The Bowtie brand also continues to lead its manufacturer competitors in top-fives (73), top-10s (136), laps led (3,626) and stage wins (25).

· Seven Team Chevy drivers have combined 25 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins:

   Tyler Reddick 2 - Fontana x2

   Alex Bowman 1 - Las Vegas, Kansas

   Ross Chastain 4 - Las Vegas, Darlington, Charlotte, Pocono, Richmond

   William Byron 4 – Phoenix, Atlanta, Talladega, Darlington

   Daniel Suarez 2 – COTA, Charlotte

   Chase Elliott 3 – Martinsville x2, Charlotte, Atlanta x2, Talladega

   Kyle Larson 4 – Bristol, Sonoma, Pocono, Texas

· Reigning NASCAR Cup Series and NASAR Xfinity Series Manufacturer Champions, Chevrolet, continues to lead in the manufacturer points standings in both series. The bowtie brand leads the NCS manufacturer points standings by 97-points, with the manufacturer’s lead in the NXS standings expanding to 141-points.

· With its 40 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 832 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR.

 
FOR THE FANS

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Silverado 1500 Crew ZR2, Tahoe Z71, Blazer RS, Corvette Z51, Camaro ZL1, Silverado 2500HD Crew LTZ Diesel, Pink MSABC Silverado 1500 Crew High Country Diesel.

· At the Chevrolet Display, fans can also view Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Camaro ZL1 show car.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Sunday, October 9

· Erik Jones: 10:45 a.m.

· Noah Gragson: 11:00 a.m.

· William Byron: 11:50 a.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

Saturday, October 8: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 9: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Tune In:

NBC will broadcast the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 9. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

NBC will broadcast the NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 8. Live coverage can also be found on the NBCSports Gold App, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 WORLDWIDE EXPRESS CAMARO ZL1

How do you feel going into the Charlotte Roval?

“I feel ready to win. I’m ready to jump back in the Chevy simulator and brush up on a few things. That’s been the road course that I’ve been focused on the most. I’ve focused a lot on road courses in my career, but I haven’t shown the speed at that course like I have at other ones. So I’m looking for that next step there in speed for overall raw lap times.”

Road courses have seen aggressive racing all year. Lots of drivers pushed off and things like that. You don’t really have that option because of the Roval layout. Are you expecting that same kind of aggression?

“We’ll just have to be mindful of what is around our No. 1 Chevy. We need to know at all times what is going on. We’ll be aware of the points and not put ourselves in the position to fall out of the race. Aside from the that, we’ll just go and try and make fast laps.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Larson on if he races differently since he is above the cutoff line:

“I don’t think so – well, maybe a little bit. You may look at a situation and think risk versus reward and maybe hold back on a move early in the race. Our road course program has been really good and I hope it carries over to this weekend. I’ve been above the cut line several times before here and have had some crazy races and results.”

CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1

Daniels on the uniqueness of the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL:

“The (Charlotte) ROVAL is substantially different compared to the other road courses on the circuit because you have the addition of the banking. There are a lot of different suspension components that we have to look at differently with this car. There were maybe a lot of similarities to a ROVAL setup last year compared to a Sonoma (Raceway) setup. It’s a much different look now for this weekend – it’s almost not a road course setup. I was joking earlier that it’s almost dune-buggy style – you have the banking, you have big elevation changes. There is a lot more happening with the suspension geometry and the travel of the car that we have not encountered anywhere else this year.”

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1

Elliott on what the win Talladega Superspeedway does for the team heading into the Charlotte ROVAL:

“At Talladega (Superspeedway), we really just wanted to have a solid day and try to get as many points as we could. Honestly after that second stage, I was super happy with our day. Regardless of what happened from there, I thought we had done a really good job. We had gained some good stage points and that was going to keep us in a position, we had hedged our bet to have a pretty solid points day regardless of how the finish ended up. To have the win on top of that was just icing on the cake. Now we can try to have a good weekend here at the (Charlotte) ROVAL. Gives us an opportunity to short those stages and not have to go for stage points and hopefully we have enough pace to fight for the win.”

ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1

Gustafson how the win at Talladega affects how the team approaches the Charlotte ROVAL:

“We always try to win. That just goes without saying. For us, it’s just about bonus points. It’s the biggest thing that we can do to put ourselves in a better position going into the next round. Our road course program has not been exactly where we’ve wanted it to be. We’ve been good, we’ve had shots to win and we haven’t been able to win. So focusing on trying to improve that, continuing to learn there, trying to get some bonus points and solidifying our position moving forward.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1

Byron on his approach to the playoffs so far:

“Rudy (Fugle) and I have been taking it one week at a time in the playoffs. We’re not worrying about races past the one that comes up next. I think it’s been working pretty well so far since we have the second-best average finish in the playoffs right now. I think when you start worrying too far in advance, that’s when mistakes happen. We’ve done a good job of showing up, having speed and executing a good race while minimizing any mistakes. Would we like to be in a better position heading into a cutoff race? Yeah, of course. We can’t worry about the what ifs. We just need to go out and do our jobs the best we can.”

RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 VALVOLINE CAMARO ZL1

Fugle on what he expects at the Charlotte ROVAL:

“Even though we tested at the (Charlotte) ROVAL in the Next Gen car, I’m not sure there’s much that’s going to translate from that test since it was so long ago and we’ve made so many changes to the car since then. I think the biggest unknown will be in regard to tires. We’ll be running road course tires for the race. With part of the track being on the oval, we don’t know what to expect from tire fall off and grip levels in that part of the track. Same with our set up, the infield and the oval have such different characteristics and need such different things, you almost have to pick and choose which portion you think is most important. If anything, we can pull notes from the Indianapolis (Motor Speedway) road course race earlier this year, but that’s about the closest we have right now before we get on track Saturday.”

GREG IVES, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

Ives on having Noah Gragson as his driver at the Charlotte ROVAL:

“The whole team wants to continue our playoff run with Alex (Bowman) behind the wheel, but that will not happen. Despite that, our goal remains the same from an owner’s championship – we will show up to give our all to win. Noah (Gragson) did a great job filling in for Alex last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and we will prepare him to do the same at the (Charlotte) ROVAL.”

Ives on Bowman’s recovery:

“Our main priority is to make sure Alex is back to 100% before he gets back in the No. 48 Ally Chevy. We are committed to his long-term health and trust the process. There is no doubt he is working hard and doing everything he can to return when the time is right.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 COMMSCOPE CAMARO ZL1

How do you feel about your chances to advance at the ROVAL?

“I feel very good about it. My goal today was to at least break even. I haven’t seen the points to know, but I think we did that. Heading to the ROVAL, I feel very confident that we can contend for it.

We have a very good road course program at Trackhouse Racing. Both Ross and I have won races and been strong in each race. It’s a great feeling as a driver to know you have a strong chance to win every time you race.”

Are you happy with your points position?

“Talladega was such a wild card that I said I just wanted to break even and I think we did more than that. We got very lucky. I’m not sure we would be 12 points ahead of the cutoff if that race were a few laps longer. The engine blew up with 15 laps to go and I was barely hanging in there. On that restart, I couldn’t go and the 24 (William Byron) helped me a lot to get going, but the engine was killed. So I guess we had a little bit of luck because it was definitely killed and we were about to not finish that race.

We are just going to do our thing this weekend in Charlotte. I feel very confident.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 40

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2022 STATISTICS:

Wins: 18

Poles: 8

Laps Led: 3,626

Top-five finishes: 73

Top-10 finishes: 136

Stage wins: 25

Tyler Reddick (Fontanax2)
Alex Bowman (Las Vegas), (Kansas)
Ross Chastain (Las Vegas), (Darlington), (Charlotte), (Pocono), (Richmond)
William Byron (Phoenix), (Atlanta), (Talladega), (Darlington)
Daniel Suarez (COTA), (Charlotte)
Chase Elliott (Martinsvillex2), (Charlotte), (Atlantax2), (Talladega)
Kyle Larson (Bristol Dirt), (Sonoma), (Pocono), (Texas)

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 832 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 731

Laps led to date: 244,962

Top-five finishes to date: 4,211

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,691

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,166

       Chevrolet: 832

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 818                                                           

       Ford: 718

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 168

 

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Brady Behrman and Hardpoint Return to International GT Competition at VIR for Home Race

By
Official Release
-

Behrman, Joined by Coby Shield For Enduro, Brings the No. 428 TradeCentric Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to his Home Race

DANVILLE, Virginia (October 6, 2022) – Brady Behrman leads Hardpoint’s charge this weekend to his, enduro co-driver Coby Shield, and the team’s home track of VIRginia International Raceway for the latest round of the International GT Championship. Behrman will race the No. 428 TradeCentric Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in a pair of sprint races and an hour-long enduro in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy chase.

This week’s schedule features a pair of 20-minute sprint races on Saturday, October 8, with the first at 11:15 a.m. ET and the second at 4:55 p.m. ET. Sunday’s one-hour Enduro race begins at 8 a.m. All three races can be seen through the championship’s live stream on their Youtube channel.

Hardpoint News and Notes

Behrman’s first two events under the Hardpoint umbrella have been nothing short of spectacular. The last time out, in his first time at Watkins Glen International, Behrman scored a runner-up finish in the opening sprint race despite difficult conditions. In the enduro, he teamed with Shield for a second silver medal on the weekend.

Behrman’s success wasn’t limited to the timed races at Watkins Glen. He started each race from the class pole after turning the best laps in qualifying.

The International GT championship features multiple classes of racing, mixing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars of various generations with Porsche Caymans and Ferrari Challenge cars on track. Behrman’s 991.1-generation Porsche Cup car races in the largest class, the GT3.8 class for those of the same generation.

Though not in the quickest generation of Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, Behrman has been near the front of the overall race lead in addition to the class podiums. Behrman was sixth overall in his second-place finish at Watkins Glen.

The races at VIR will bring a number of Behrman, Shield and Hardpoint’s friends and family to the race track. Behrman hails from Virginia Beach, with Shield calling Lynchburg, Virginia home. Hardpoint’s shop is located on the grounds at VIR – making this easily the closest race to home for each entity this season.

The VIR rounds follow Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen on the IGT schedule. Both stops were first-time visits for Behrman, who now gets to attack on a track that he knows well.

Behrman races this and every weekend with the support of TradeCentric. TradeCentric transforms the way businesses transact by enabling PunchOut, Purchase Order and Invoice Automation for thousands of companies every day. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of eCommerce and eProcurement, TradeCentric helps B2B buyers and suppliers connect, automate and scale their digital trading capabilities. TradeCentric offers a cloud-based integration platform that is fully managed and purpose-built to simplify the complexities of B2B trade and transaction processes. More information can be found at tradecentric.com.

The International GT round comes on the heels of a difficult IMSA season finale for Hardpoint at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

A cut tire for the No. 22 Racing to End Alzheimer’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport put Nick Galante and Sean McAlister a lap down in the two-hour Michelin Pilot Challenge finale last Friday. The flow of the race and relative lack of cautions eliminated any opportunity to get the lap back, with the team scored 22nd in the Grand Sport class at the checkered flag.

Likewise, the No. 99 GridRival/de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry Porsche 911 GT3 R picked up damage after being collected in an incident just in front of them on track early in Saturday’s 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans race. That left Hardpoint chasing repairs throughout the race, which ended the 2022 WeatherTech Championship season for Rob Ferriol, Katherine Legge and Nick Boulle two hours shy of the finish with a second off and heavier damage.

Hardpoint Quote Board

Brady Behrman, Driver, No. 428 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “I’m looking forward to an awesome weekend with Hardpoint, representing TradeCentric on that Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. VIR is home. That’s where I started racing four or five years ago and I’m feeling optimistic we can end up on that top step three out of three times. There are strong contenders in our class, and we’re looking forward to competing with all of them. We want to see if we can keep up with those 4.0 liters out of class. That would be a great accomplishment if we can do that at our home track. VIR has really helped shape my driving across all the various tracks we get to race at. It’s a tough track for new people, it’s a tough track for seasoned professionals. I’m excited we’re at home, we have family and friends and some TradeCentric team members who are going to be joining us track side and I’m looking forward to an awesome weekend.”

Coby Shield, Driver, No. 428 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “I’m super excited for VIR. Obviously WGI went very well, Brady did a fantastic job under difficult circumstances with rain and had only been there one other time. I’m super, super excited to see Brady at his home track. It’s home for both of us, so it’s super exciting to be part of a track that’s the team’s home, it’s my home track, and it’s Brady’s home track. It’s kind of weird, I never thought we’d get to this point and be racing with a team at this level at VIR. It’s extremely exciting because we’ll have all of our friends and family there and people who don’t always get to see motorsports front and center will be there to see it. I’m insanely excited to see Brady get comfortable immediately and I hope I can help him get on the top step three times out of three. It’s very realistic. Everybody is going to be gunning for us, we’ve got a huge target on our back, Pippa (Mann) has jokingly made some comments to us on social media so I know everyone is coming for us.

“VIR is where I got my start, I started going there when I was five or six years old watching the old Rolex series. I started doing track days, instructing, coaching, and have had the opportunity to set a track record there in multiple classes. I have very high expectations for myself, I have high expectations for Brady there. I don’t want that to be unachievable or cloud our efforts, but we’ll have lots of friends and family there and I don’t want to let anyone down. The weather looks perfect, it should be an incredible weekend.”

About Hardpoint:

Hardpoint was founded by Rob Ferriol in 2018 with the vision of combining his experience as a successful entrepreneur with his passion for racing. Headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway, the team captured the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup North America Pro-Am championship in its inaugural season and competes full-time in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in the No. 99 GridRival Porsche 911 GT3 R with co-drivers Ferriol and Katherine Legge, joined by Stefan Wilson for Michelin Endurance Cup races. In 2022, Hardpoint has added the No. 22 Racing To End Alzheimer’s Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport driven by Nick Galante and Sean McAllister in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport (GS), as well as the No. 428 TradeCentric Porsche 911 GT3 Cup driven by Brady Behrman in International GT. More information on Hardpoint can be found at www.hardpoint.com or through its strong social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Taylor Gray – ARCA Menards Series Advance: Toledo Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Saturday, October 8th
Track: Toledo Speedway, Half-mile paved oval
Race: 20 of 20
Event: Shore Lunch 200 (200 laps, 100 miles)

Schedule
Saturday, October 8th
Practice: 11:45 a.m. ET
Qualifying: 1:30 p.m. ET
Race: 4:00 p.m. ET (MAVTV/FloRacing)

Taylor Gray, No. 17 Factory Canopies Mustang

  • Taylor Gray makes his fourth career start at Toledo Speedway this Saturday, strapping in for the final race of the 2022 ARCA Menards Series season.
  • Last time out, the 17-year-old qualified second at Salem Speedway and finished fifth after a right side tire came apart with under 15 laps remaining.
  • The Shore Lunch 200 marks Gray and Crew Chief Chad Johnston’s first appearance at the half-mile oval as a pair. In his three previous starts, Gray scored a career-best finish of third in 2020.
  • Gray looks to end the year on a high note, having already set career-bests in wins, laps led, and top-fives in 2022.
  • The No. 17 will carry a special throwback scheme this weekend as Taylor and team will pay homage to 10-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel and his favorite car from 2002. Kimmel is a mechanic for the DGR ARCA program.

Daniel Dye – GMS Racing ARCA Toledo Preview

By
Official Release
-

Daniel Dye, No. 43 Race to Stop Suicide GMS Racing Chevrolet

2022 ARCA Menards Series Stats

  • Starts: 19
  • Top 5’s: 13
  • Top 10’s: 17
  • Poles: 1
  • Avg Finish: 5.8

Toledo Stats

- Daniel has no prior starts at Toledo Speedway.

NOTES

  • Daniel Dye will make his inaugural start at the Toledo Speedway half-mile on Saturday afternoon in the season finale ARCA Menards Series Shore Lunch 200.
  • DD will drive the black GMS Racing No. 43 Race to Stop Suicide, Low Payment Kings, Solar-Fit sponsored Chevrolet.
  • Following 19 ARCA national series races, Dye sits 2-points behind current championship point leader Nick Sanchez.
  • Dye has recorded the best average finish of any full-time driver in the series this season at 5.8. Daniel has a series-high 17 top-10 finishes through 19 races, and led 224-laps heading into the final event at the Toledo Speedway oval.
  • Following last weekend’s race at Salem Speedway, Dye and the GMS Racing team were awarded the CGS Imaging Bill France 4 Crown championship. More Info
  • Saturday’s ARCA finale will be broadcast live on MAVTV and FloRacing at 4:00 p.m. ET.

ABOUT GMS RACING

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series operating the No. 23 and the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs, as well as the ARCA Menards Series with the No. 43 Chevrolet SS. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Menards Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA Menards Series East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for Petty GMS, a two car full-time NASCAR Cup Series team formed in 2021.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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